THE COLLECTION OF FOSSIL VERTEBRATES 9 
To give the visitor a clear idea of these extinct animals, the 
skeletons usually have been removed entirely from the rock in 
which they were found and have been mounted as yoy, Fossil 
much as possible like skeletons of modern animals. Skeletons 
To mount a petrified skeleton in this manner is a very are 
difficult matter, for such skeletons are rarely perfect, Mounted. 
and the bone is always very brittle and more or less shattered 
and crushed out of shape. In the mounted skeleton the missing 
parts have been restored in tinted plaster, modeled from other 
individuals or from nearly related animals in which these parts 
are known. The outlines of the restored parts of bones are 
marked off with red lines, while entire bones modeled in plaster 
are marked with a red cross, or with a red circle if supplied from 
other individuals. All the skeletons are original specimens ex- 
cept the Wegatherium at the far end of the hall; and all are of 
extinct animals except a few which are placed with the others for 
comparison. With each fossil skeleton will be found, besides a 
descriptive label, a small model and a water-color restoration of 
the animal, showing its probable appearance during life and 
indicating its supposed habitat. The transparencies in the win- 
dows show the localities where-the fossils are found, chiefly in the 
Bad-lands of the western States. 
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. 
FOSSIL REPTILES 
FOSSIL MAMMALS ano 
FISHES 
MARINE REPTILES 
wane =. 200 
The collections are arranged to illustrate the geological his- 
tory and evolution of the different groups of Verte- ¢ neral Ar- 
brata, especially those of North America. They fill rangement 
two large halls and a corridor. of Collec- 
tions. 
East Wing. Hall No. 406. Fossil Mammals. 
